Many thanks to Gionareth and TwilightsAngelStar for reviewing!!
Chapter 7: The Storm Clouds Gather
Arwen left the room hours later when Legolas had finally succumbed to exhaustion and she fairly skipped down the halls. Merry tunes fluttered through her head but above all his voice filled her thoughts.
Elves looked on in wonderment at their Evenstar's radiance of perfect happiness as she all but danced down the halls. However, they could not bring themselves to comment lest the image fade away like ice to warm fire. Instead, they were content to see her, their pinnacle of beauty, shimmer in peace and obvious love.
The weeks following blended into the most heavenly days the halls of Rivendell had ever known, rivaling even that at the height of Celebrian's glory. Singing filled the corridors and beauty shone like a soft summer night, glimmering with stars.
Legolas and Arwen would not be separated for longer than several hours and more than one healer checking in on their Mirkwood patient saw the dark haired maiden nestled near the prince. Each moment they spent together seemed as precious as the finest of mithril and diamonds.
Even the austere Lord Elrond could be found smiling as he gazed down upon the pair whispering together, his daughter's raven hair blending with the golden of the Wood Elf while they bent over her latest drawing or some other point of interest.
The archery range often found the pair of them bantering and laughing before the targets whilst Legolas regained his strength. Elladan and Elrohir would sometimes accompany them and the four would make a day of it, lugging along a basket filled to the brim with delectable dishes.
But their most happened upon haven were the gardens. The trees became their place to speak softly, the paths through the flowers their serene retreat, and the lush grass their chairs to sit in peace and read yet another tome from the extensive library.
Flowers appeared in the Lady Arwen's room, each delicate and softly scented, while apricot tarts often visited Legolas' chamber, the only sign that they had once been there a few leftover crumbs on the plate .
Sketch books filled with drawings began to pile up on the shelves, every one bearing the prince's likeness and signed with a tiny 'A' while the Prince was often caught humming some tune. One maid could have sworn she heard him sing of the Evenstar.
The bliss was complete and though no one knew of any serious proposal made by the Prince, they felt that wedding bells were on the horizon for the pair of lovebirds.
Arwen's hands held her sketch book, an item which rarely left her side these days as she strode down the halls to Legolas' quarters. Her face broke into a radiant smile as she though of the drawings within.
She rapped lightly on the door before entering, knowing Legolas' schedule well enough to enter without trepidation. He would be sitting by the window now, possibly reading or even writing. One knee would be curled up against his chest while the other would dangle precariously over the window ledge. His face would be turned towards the sun, a position he often took subconsciously as if he was part of the forest he loved so much and reveled under the warm rays' caress.
Sure enough, he sat in the usual position and didn't turn at the click of the door and her light footsteps. "You are two minutes late," he said cheekily, finally pivoting to face her when she stood a mere pace away.
"But who is keeping count?" Arwen grinned back, watching smugly as he let his leg stretch out and make room for her to settle on his lap. She leapt up on the window ledge nimbly and took the space offered her.
His arms came about her shoulders as she leaned against him and his cheek came to rest on her hair. "I thought that was made clear."
Though she couldn't see his face she knew the haughty, amused expression that would undoubtedly be there. "Never trust a wood-elf, meleth nin, for they hide in forests where pranksters and other such vagabonds reside."
"Then, 'star, I must tell you of the two great dangers that reside in your own home. They have the strangest magic of all and appear the same, but do not be beguiled, they are two persons, filled with the most potency of all mischief."
"You have my thanks, good prince, for the warning but I fear it is too late and they are too close to my heart to rid from Rivendell."
He tsked lightly. "A monumental tragedy."
"Indeed."
They sat in reflective silence for a time until Legolas pressed a chaste kiss to her head and asked, "Now, what have you brought me today?"
Eagerly, she flipped open the thick book and pointed to the new drawings. "This would be the arch we'd stand under and I want fresh elanor woven into the ivy lattice there."
He nodded his approval and began to turn the page.
"No, meleth nin." Arwen giggled softly and closed the book. "Those are the plans for my dress. You mustn't see those till the wedding day."
"Oh, I think I'd much prefer to see the dress then if you don't mind. The drawings can wait."
"Not till our wedding for either." She turned enough to wag a finger under his nose.
Legolas grinned at her brightly before continuing his strain of questions. "And have you picked a day?"
"Well,"
"Tomorrow?" he teased.
"No-"
"A fortnight from now?"
"No-"
"Midsummer's day in two months?"
"Legolas, would you let me finish?"
"Ah, so it is to be Midsummer's day?"
Arwen huffed in mock exasperation. "Legolas, meleth nin, I would tell you if you would cease your interruptions. And if you must know-"
"I do believe I must know, unless you plan on marrying a shrubbery."
"Legolas!" she smacked him lightly, wary of his injuries yet not quite ready to let his words escape with no consequence.
He just grinned.
And with a smile like his, she found herself mumbling the answer. "It is to be Midsummer's day."
"Now, was that so difficult to say?"
But Arwen did not answer, nor did she show any intention of responding. Her vibrant blue eyes glazed over and she slumped fully against his chest.
Blinding white enveloped her vision and the home she knew faded away to another world entirely…
TBC...